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Leonne had finished school at Dinnington Comprehensive School and was doing a hair and beauty course at Dinnington College.

Speaking about what state the family were in, Ms Oldfield said: 'They are just completely devastated and shocked by what's happened - my sister Paula is absolutely distraught.'

Alongside a musical tribute to his niece, Leonne's uncle Danny Bowskill wrote on Facebook: 'Rest in peace my wonderful niece. Never thought i would ever be writing this but you was and still are loved by so many. I'll be there for your dad and mum all the way.'

Leonne's family visited the scene today to lay floral tributes near where her body was found

Family members say Leonne was 'a lovely lass', who was 'popular' and got on with everyone

Loved ones left flowers at the scene yesterday evening after the schoolgirl was found dead

A friend of Leonne, who wished to remain anonymous, said: 'We don't know what's happened, all we know is she went to meet someone - meet a bloke - and now her body has been found. She met him off the internet - one of those dating sites.'

One card read: 'To Leonne and family. Thinking about you, miss you so much. Sleep tight, fly high angel.'

Another one of Leonne's friends who wanted to pay tribute, said: 'She was just absolutely sound, always up for a laugh.

'She was one of the funniest people I've ever met - she was lovely.

'It's just so shocking - I can't believe it, I never thought something like this would happen.'

Reports were received at around 10.55am yesterday morning when the body was found by members of the public on a pathway off Lordens Hill.

Forensics experts were called in and police were seen in the area for the rest of the day.

Police said they were treating the death as suspicious due to 'concerns around the state of the body and the injuries'

A forensics tent remains at the scene in Rotherham, South Yorkshire today

Police said they were treating the death as suspicious due to 'concerns around the state of the body and the injuries'.

Users on social media have said Leonne had been reported missing and her mother, named Paula Appley, was 'going out of her mind to try and find her.'

At 9am, Jolene Dunk wrote: 'Anyone seen Leonne Weeks if so contact her mum Paula Appley or Darran Weeks or me need to know she is safe.'

On Tuesday morning, Mr Bowskill wrote: 'Rest in peace my wonderful niece never thought i would ever be writing this but Leonne Weeks you was and still are loved by so many. Ill be there for your dad and mum all the way. Fly high and I hope my mum was there to guide you every step of the way up there.'

Floral tributes were left at the scene of a police cordon in the Dinnington area of Rotherham

Friends and family have told of their disbelief at the 16-year-old's sudden death

On Leonne's Facebook account, there were more than 100 tributes posted under her latest profile picture, which she last updated on December 28 with a Snapchat filter of a dog's nose and ears over a selfie.

Kian Foster wrote: 'Fly high angel.'

One user said: 'Can't even get my head over this! Such a quiet nice lass! Wouldn't harm anybody and gets taken away at 16 years old with a while Life ahead of her* r.i.p Leonne Weeks darling (sic)'.

Another user said: 'Thinking of you all at this sad time Paula Appley sweet dreams to your princess xx.'

Kevin Barron MP for the Rother Valley tweeted: 'I am incredibly sad to hear about the discovery of a teenage girl's body in Dinnington near my constituency office this morning.

'I would like to send my condolences to the family and friends of this young girl. We must now allow the police time to investigate.'

Before she was found, a number of posts online were made asking if anyone had seen Leonne

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Whittaker said: 'If you have any information about what happened, please come forward and pass that on to us.

'We have increased patrols in Dinnington at this time to provide reassurance to members of the community and I'd urge anyone who thinks they have any information to please speak to an officer.

'While formal identification has not yet taken place, we are working closely with the family of a girl from Dinnington.

'We expect formal identification to take place over the coming days.'

Friends have set up a JustGiving fundraising page to support the family which hopes to raise £5,000.